Our Prospectus

Our Prospectus

EAL Media

This prospectus describes what European Apostolic Leaders (EAL) is. We are a pan-European Movement.

(Top photo: A group from EAL at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh in March 2018.)

The Apostolic Movement

Since the beginning of the Church in the «Acts of the Apostles», apostles, prophets, and apostolic and prophetic ministry have been crucial for the expansion of the Gospel and the implementation of the Creation Mandate (Genesis 1:26-28) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). 

In recent years, the significance and function of these offices and ministries have come to the forefront, and a global resurgence is taking place of the power, authority and expansion of the Gospel that is described in the «Acts of the Apostles». Sociologically, theologically and spiritually this has all the hallmarks of a global movement, especially in Asia, Africa and Latin America. The terms «Apostolic Movement» and the «New Apostolic Reformation» are used interchangeably, depicting the largest and fastest growing segment of Christianity worldwide. 

Churches of the Apostolic Movement embrace the only Christian mega block growing faster than Islam, stated Professor Emeritus of Fuller Theological Seminary, Dr. C. Peter Wagner, who was the first Presiding Apostle of International Coalition of Apostles (1999-2010).

Dr. Wagner suggested that the name «New Apostolic Reformation» should be used to identify the Apostolic Movement, and other names are also used.

In 1999, Peter Wagner published the study «ChurchQuake!» (Regal Books) where he identified nine aspects that characterize this apostolic reformation. 

History 

European Apostolic Leaders (EAL) was officially founded in 2013, but we have a rich and multitudinous history behind us. The deepest roots are from the Creation Mandate (Genesis 1:26-28) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), but the modern-day roots are from the time when International Coalition of Apostles (ICA) started in 1999 in Singapore, and the European expression emerged in 2002, but not until 2013 were we established.

Theological Basis

The primary theological basis of EAL is expressed in the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed.

What is Europe?

European Apostolic Leaders (EAL) is a pan-European movement, so we must be conscious of what Europe is. There are many ways to define Europe: Geography, history, culture, economics. politics, religion etc. Europe encompasses somewhere between 48 and 55 nations. The population within the standard physical geographical boundaries was 740 million in 2010 according to the United Nations.

Purpose: Serving Europe!

We seek to model servanthood, respect, honor and love. In previous times, Europe at times colonized the world in negative ways. Now, we believe that God is using us to show the way to the loving authority of the Triune Godhead!  «Jesus said to them again, ´Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you´» (John 20:21).

The purpose of European Apostolic Leaders is to connect each member’s wisdom and resources in order to function more strategically, combine our efforts globally, and effectively accelerate the advancement of the Kingdom of God on earth into every sphere of society.

Vision and Mandate

European Apostolic Leaders (EAL) is first and foremost a movement of apostles, prophets and apostolic leaders who seek to bring transformation to Europe. We have adopted the combined, historic, biblical mandates - the Creation Mandate and the Great Commission - as our overriding vision. The Creation Mandate is also called the Cultural Mandate. As apostles and prophets we need grids of concepts and language that give us flexibility for our vision casting, theologizing and strategizing.

Our vision is expressed in Holy Scripture in this way: 1) the Creation Mandate (Genesis 1:28): God said to them, «Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it»; and 2) the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20): Jesus came and said to them, «All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.»

Structure

European Apostolic Leaders is apostolically led and prophetically influenced.

1Corinthians 12:28  states that that apostles are first in rank: proton is the Greek word for first in rank: And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.

This is reflected in the structure of European Apostolic Leaders.

However, the New Testament clearly sets the example of the apostle as the team leader, working together with prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, as well as the other valuable members of the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-16).

European Apostolic Leaders is primarily a professional society in which confirmed apostles and prophets are able to relate to and connect with each other. It is secondarily a training ground for «emerging» apostles and prophets.

Leadership

European Apostolic Leaders was established in May 2013. In March 2016, the Executive Committee (EC) was appointed.

The President leads EAL, and appoints the EC, consisting of 3-5 members.

Membership

European Apostolic Leaders welcomes as members apostles, prophets and apostolic leaders.

We have members of diverse ethnic, cultural and historic backgrounds, as welll as various theological emphases, and together we serve a diverse continent with a history of great accomplishments and leadership to the world, but also of ethnic and religious disunity. We have a vision to bring restoration, reconciliation, revival and reformation to our diverse continent.

Membership in European Apostolic Leaders is for individuals who have been recognized by a significant segment of the church, including peer-level apostles and prophets, as having the gift of apostle and/or prophet, and who have been ministering through their gift for a period of time. We also welcome apostolic leaders who are connected with apostles and prophets.

Membership is attained only by official invitation from our President through a simple process.

Definitions

The definition of «apostle» and «prophet» have varied from one extreme of being a historic, past function of the Early Church, to the other extreme of being titles that any Christian can take for themselves. European Apostolic Leaders emphasizes function as more important than title.

The New Testament clearly outlines the gift of the apostle and prophet in Ephesians 4:11-12: «And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ», Also mentioned in Ephesians 2:20 and 1 Corinthians 12:28. The Apostle Paul and Christ’s apostles spoke of these gifts as essential for the healthy function of the Church and training of the Saints as we bring transformation to the world.

  1. An apostle is a Christian leader who is gifted, taught, commissioned, and sent by God with the authority to establish the foundational government of a church, ministry, network, organization or business within an assigned sphere by hearing what the Spirit is saying, and sets things in order accordingly for the advancement of the Kingdom of God for the growth and maturity of the church. Since apostles minister in several different ways, EAL is open to «vertical apostles» (including ecclesiastical, functional, congregational, and team-member vertical apostles), to «horizontal apostles» (including convening, ambassadorial, mobilizing, and territorial horizontal apostles), and to different kinds of «workplace apostles».
  2. The ministry of the prophet is also clearly outlined in the New Testament (Ephesians 4:11-12). Both apostle and prophet are foundational gifts to the Body of Christ (Ephesians 2:20: «built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone».
  3. «Apostolic leader» is a pragmatic term that was coined by Jan-Aage Torp in 2012. EAL uses the term as a general term for apostles and prophets, and specifically as the designation of a ministry gift or an envoy that is closely related to an apostle and a prophet. Often, an apostolic leader will be emerging into an apostle or prophet.

Accountability

Members of European Apostolic Leaders are committed to maintaining the highest possible levels of integrity of personal character and operational methodology among its members. Although European Apostolic Leaders is not a primary accountability structure, membership in European Apostolic Leaders does imply an additional apostolic accountability.

Legal and Administrative

The office of European Apostolic Leaders (EAL) is in Oslo, Norway and serves as the administrative and communication hub for sharing of vision, perspectives, information and building relationships, and this webpage serves that end. Jan-Aage Torp is our President.

EAL was established on May 23rd, 2013, and is legally an association in Oslo, Norway, registered at The Brønnøysund Register Centre which is a government body under The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries. We are specifically registered under The Register of Non-Profit Organizations. 

EAL is spiritually and ministerially linked with Restoration Oslokirken, which is recognized by the County Governor («Fylkesmannen») of Oslo as a religious and lifestance-based organization, The County Governor processes requests for funding, approves new leaders, and ensures that such organizations' activities comply with statutory and regulatory requirements.

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